Every parent wants to keep things clean and safe, but between feeding, diaper changes, and trying to remember the last time you ate a real meal, figuring out when to wash, sanitize, or sterilize bottles can get confusing.

If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen holding a bottle and wondering, “Wait… do I need to boil this again?”—welcome to the club. Sterilizing baby bottles is one of those things that sounds super serious but isn’t always clear, especially when you're running on coffee and cuddles. Whether you're a first-timer or need a refresher, here’s everything you need to know about keeping those baby bottles squeaky clean—without overthinking.

When should you sterilize baby bottles and sanitize or clean bottles?

Before sterilizing baby bottles, you must know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing. Here, you learn it!

Cleaning is an everyday step. It means washing bottles, nipples, and parts with warm, soapy water or tossing them in the dishwasher.

Sanitizing is a deeper clean. It reduces more germs than basic cleaning, which is helpful when your baby’s immune system is still developing.

Sterilizing goes even further—it removes all bacteria and microbes and is especially important during the first few months.

When should you sterilize baby bottles?

You should sterilize bottles:

• Before using them for the first time (right out of the box)

• If your baby is premature or has a weakened immune system

• If the bottles were exposed to something unsanitary (like falling on a dirty floor)

• After your baby has been sick

Daily sterilizing infant bottles may not be necessary once your baby is over 3 months old and healthy. At that point, thorough washing and occasional sanitizing are usually enough. But if it gives you peace of mind, there’s no harm in continuing to sterilize. Every parent has their comfort level, and that’s okay.

How to sterilize baby bottles?

Now that you know when to sterilize baby bottles, let’s explore how to do it!

Boiling

This old-school method works just fine—no fancy gadgets are needed. First, disassemble all parts of the bottle. Then, please place them in a large pot of water and ensure everything is fully submerged. Now, bring the water to a boil and let it boil for 5–10 minutes. Carefully remove with clean tongs and place items on a clean towel to air dry.

Tip: Don't boil plastic parts too often if not designed for it—it can wear them out faster.

Electric steam sterilizer

These are super convenient and do the job in minutes. All you have to do is add the recommended amount of water, place bottles and parts inside, and press start. Most models shut off automatically once you're done. This is perfect for busy parents who need a hands-off method. 

Other options include sterilizing bags, Chemical sterilizing solutions and a Microwave steam sterilizer. No matter which method you choose, always make sure to use the best equipment for feeding bottle cleaning. To avoid reintroducing germs, let bottles air dry rather than towel dry.